United States Senator Ted Cruz has alleged that American authorities have identified Nigerian officials responsible for enabling attacks on Christians, warning that such individuals could face sanctions.
The lawmaker made the claim on Tuesday while reacting to the recent killings in Plateau State. His comments followed a deadly assault on a community in Jos North that left several people dead.
In a post on X, Cruz said: “Nigerian government officials have created an environment in which Christians are routinely persecuted and slaughtered, by imposing sharia law and looking the other way at violence. Those officials should know that the U.S. knows who they are, and has the tools to hold them accountable.”
His statement has added fresh international attention to the security situation in parts of Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt region where communal and religious tensions have persisted for years.
The attack he referenced occurred in Angwan Rukuba, a community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Gunmen stormed the area late in the evening, around 8:30 p.m., unleashing violence on residents.
Police authorities in the state confirmed that at least 12 people were killed in the incident. The victims included 10 men and two women. Security operatives later recovered two additional bodies during a search of nearby bushes.
The timing of the attack also raised concerns, as it took place on Palm Sunday, a significant day in the Christian calendar.
Following the incident, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the affected community to sympathise with residents and families of the victims.
He assured them that those behind the killings would not go unpunished. According to him: “Your pain is my pain, and the pain of Plateau State. My administration will pursue justice relentlessly until the perpetrators are brought to book.”
The governor also announced immediate relief measures. He said the state government would take responsibility for the treatment of those injured in the attack. He further promised that the deceased would be given proper and dignified burials.
To prevent further breakdown of law and order, the state government imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area. The restriction began at midnight on March 29 and lasted through April 1, 2026. Additional security personnel were deployed to the area to stabilise the situation.
Cruz’s remarks have again brought to the surface tensions between the United States and Nigeria over claims of religious persecution.
In 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing threats against Christian communities. He also warned that the U.S. could take stronger actions, including sanctions or other measures, if the violence continued.
The Nigerian government rejected the designation, describing it as misleading and not reflective of the realities on ground. A delegation led by Nuhu Ribadu was sent to Washington to engage with U.S. officials and lawmakers.
President Bola Tinubu also addressed the issue months later, dismissing claims of religious persecution. He said: “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism, challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.”
Despite these assurances, incidents like the Plateau attack continue to raise concerns both locally and internationally.
Security agencies say operations are ongoing to track down those responsible, while residents in affected areas remain on edge.
